Crosswalk.com--The Devotional

[Judy Harder]

God is Not Judge Judy
Kelly Givens

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." - James 3:17

Last month I found myself in a situation that needed a good dose of wisdom. I had to make a decision and felt unsure what course of action was best, so over those next few days I prayed for wisdom on what I should do.  I also looked for verses in the Bible that talk about wisdom, and was surprised by what I found.

When I think of wisdom, usually the first thing that pops in my head is King Solomon and that poor baby. You probably know the story- God had given Solomon an incredible amount of wisdom, so much so that people from all over were coming to him with their questions and disputes. In this recorded case, two prostitutes came before the king, both claiming to be the mother of the same baby boy, both insisting that the other had stolen the infant after the death of the other's child. This was obviously before DNA testing, so what could be done? Well, Solomon had a sword brought to him and decided to settle things by cutting the baby in half! Now, that doesn't seem like a very compassionate king! It sounds more like something Judge Judy would do.

Judge Judy doesn't want to hear your sob story.  Her Honor gets right to the facts, lays down her decision and moves on to the next case, end of story. I realized I was asking God to be the" Judge Judy" of my life- I would present my problem and "ask for wisdom," but what I really wanted was for God to give me a definite answer that didn't leave any lingering questions. Obviously, God is not Judge Judy, and this is not the kind of wisdom he gives. So how should we think of wisdom? Let's go back to Solomon- who really wasn't like Judge Judy at all.

While it may have seemed bizarre that Solomon was going to cut a baby in half, the king had wisely discerned that the true mother would care more about the safety of the child than her possession of him.  And so it was- the mother cried out for the boy's life to be spared, and Solomon declared her the rightful parent. In doing this, he spared both the child and the women further pain. But this is more than Solomon just being cunning or smart. There's compassion to this decision too- an essential part of wisdom.

When Solomon asked God for wisdom, God didn't just fill his head with the right answer to every problem that would ever come up. No- he filled him with "wisdom" as James describes it- he filled him full of consideration, peacefulness, mercy, goodness, impartiality and sincerity.  King Solomon wasn't wise because he knew the law book forwards and backwards, or because he was particularly clever or a good problem solver.  He was wise because his decisions flowed from a heart and mind focused on values that are essential to the Kingdom of God. He didn't bother punishing the one woman for stealing a baby or stoning both women for being prostitutes (which the law would have demanded). His wisdom was compassionate, merciful, and just: it was true wisdom from above.

Intersecting Faith and Life: What problems in your life are you seeking wisdom in? Approach those problems in light of James 3:17 and trust that God will equip you with the wisdom you need for the challenges you face.

Further Reading:
Psalm 37:30
James 1:5
1 Corinthians 1: 19-29

[Judy Harder]

Trusting in God's Word
by Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

"Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus." Luke 1:1-3

Things are starting to rev up in the political realm again. One of the things I dislike most about politics is that when politicians speak, they often give us a spin on the truth. Most of us who care about particular issues end up immersed in hours of research trying to uncover the unbiased facts.

Thankfully, God and His Word do not operate on the same level as our political system.

I found some unexpected relief recently when I decided to do a little research on the life of St. Luke. The opening verses above are the first words recorded in Luke's gospel account. They are reasonable, straightforward words that show Luke approached his writing as a historian investigating and recording the facts.

A skeptic might respond, "Well of course an early disciple of Christ would say he is recording only facts. But how can we be sure?" Skeptics and believers alike might be interested in knowing that Luke's writings are so consistent and accurate, even secular, modern historians hold great respect for them.

So who was St. Luke? Well, historians generally agree that he is the author of the third gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles. His writings give us a glimpse into Christ's life and a vital record of the workings of the early Church. Biblical scholars aren't sure if Luke was Jewish or a gentile, but his gospel account certainly shows a special sensitivity to the gentiles, the poor, and sinners. Luke probably also had medical training -- scholars usually link the writer/historian with the Luke Paul refers to as, "the beloved physician." (Colossians 4: 14)

What else do we know about Luke? The Acts of the Apostles indicate he spent much of his adult life traveling with Paul, even sticking with Paul through his suffering and death (2 Timothy 4: 11). He also probably spent quite a bit of time with those who knew Jesus during His earthly ministry, including Mary, the mother of Jesus. After all, the Gospel of Luke is the "Christmas Gospel" – the only Gospel where we get the details of Gabriel's appearance to Mary and get unique glimpses of Jesus' boyhood. It's also the only gospel where we hear Mary, inspired by the Spirit, proclaim the famous Magnificat ("My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..." Luke 1: 46 – 55).

But for all the facts Luke left us about Christ and His Church, he left very little information about himself. While we have details of the martyrdoms of many early followers, historians don't know how long Luke lived or how he died.

Of course, it's pretty safe to assume that Luke wasn't out to make a name for himself, but to make a name for God. And that's really where Luke's life and writings leave us – with yet another reminder that our confidence can rest securely with God and His Word. In a world that is always trying to sell us something, God gives us the wisdom we need to make the hard choices. In a world where words are often used to obscure the truth, God's Word cuts through the haze with profound, timeless truths. In a world where public figures cannot always be trusted, God works through His humble followers to restore our trust in Him.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Economies fluctuate and nations fall in and out of power. Put down the latest political commentary or turn off those negative news reports, and spend some extra time this week reading the eternal Word of God instead.

Further Reading

Matthew 22: 15 - 22

Faith, Not Fear: God and Wall Street

References: "St. Luke," "Luke the Evangelist"

[Judy Harder]

Shawn McEvoy
Managing Editor at Crosswalk.com

For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me... (2 Sam. 22:5).

Your wrath lies heavily upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves (Ps. 88:7).

I have many times stood upon the shore of a peaceful Atlantic ocean gazing East to the sunrise, pondering the vastness and the depth of God. This was not one of those times.

Today, I wanted to catch some fish. It was my only two hours of alone time during the whole week of family vacation to Isle of Palms. I decided to bike down to the point I'd walked to earlier that morning. This was mistake number one. I popped the chain on that old bike about half-way down the beach, and ended up having to push it the rest of the way with one hand while holding my fishing pole (and trying not to hook myself) with the other.

When I finally got there the waves had risen to a height I'd not encountered in any of my last four seasons on Atlantic beaches. I could barely cast my lure over them, and if I did succeed, I'd soon get knocked over. So, alright. You know what? I've been wanting a showdown. "Let's see whatchya got," I said, to either myself, God, or the forces of nature. I took my pole back to shore and I waded out to war.

I adopted my best linebacker stance and stood up to the 6-foot waves as best I could. I tried body surfing and nearly swallowed a gallon or two of seawater. I tried jumping over, diving under, and shouldering through. And while I was doing all of it I was telling God or whoever would listen how hard a time I'd been having of it ("Sure," you're saying, "a week of luxury beach vacation with the family, you're really struggling." But it's true).

Why do I put on weight so easily? Why do you not seem to hear me anymore? Why am I not satisfied in my soul? Why do my simplest desires – like to ride a bike down a beach and catch a fish – result in such discouraging and powerful setbacks? Why is my faith bruised and how do I start to care for the people of God again? Huh?!

Nothing. Just wave after wave after pounding after pounding.

The good news is I was exhausting myself, getting this out of my system, and 'praying.' That I was again getting a sense of myself in this rough place called The World and how puny I am in relation to the created universe.

The bad news is I was becoming more dejected. When I finally gave up and told God I recognized his bigness and my smallness, I sat in the surf and tried to really connect, to really give it all to him, to really make this the milestone day from which everything was different for the rest of my life.

But it was just words. Nothing seemed to rise. I couldn't make my heart climb into my prayers. And I couldn't figure out how or when I had lost it, or what to do about it.

I paced to shore defeated and dejected. What progress had I made? At best today was a humbling, at worst a humiliation. My head drooped, and I looked down.

What I saw further discouraged me. For a length of several yards, the shallow foam washing back out was running at the same pace as my strides walking back in. The optical illusion was one of getting nowhere. Moving, but remaining in the same place.

That's when, finally, this: "You know you're making progress. You know, despite how it looks, that you're getting closer to shore with every step. Likewise, today was progress. Tomorrow will be a step. As will the next. My grace is a wave infinitely more powerful and cleansing than these, and My footprints don't wash away."

I sighed, but I smiled. "Step by step you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days..." Step-by-step is exactly how I got home that day, beaten, extremely chafed, shoeless, pushing a bike and carrying a pole. And, I'm happy to report, that's exactly how I'm getting back home in my spirit as well.

[Judy Harder]

The First Fruit of the Gospel
Alex Crain
Editor, Christianity.com

"For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and My words, of him shall the Son of Man
be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory..."
Luke 9:26 NASB

Nothing—not good works, religious rituals, not anything can add merit to Christ's perfect work of atonement.

Still, virtue does flow from the work of Christ in our lives.

One virtue that is the necessary result of the gospel in our lives is the habit of dying daily. Francis Schaeffer, in his book True Spirituality, insightfully takes us to Luke 9:22-26 about this where Christ is telling His disciples the certain order of events that would soon occur to Him... that He would be rejected, slain, then raised.

Jesus immediately relates this order—rejected, slain, raised—to the Christian life as well.

In Luke 9:23-24, Jesus says, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." 

Schaeffer points out that,

"Jesus is talking here about our death by choice in the present life. He applies it to a specific situation to make it more concrete. "For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and My words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory..." (Luke 9:26)

"The Bible is not speaking of some romantic feeling, some idealization, some abstraction. Jesus carries this concept of facing the rejection, being slain, down to a very practical situation: facing an alien world. It is the saying "no" to self when our natural selves would desire acceptance by the alien world—a world in revolt against its Creator and our Lord.

"...this command of Christ is not limited to one situation; it is that which is to be the whole mentality and outlook of the Christian's life.

"As Christ's rejection and death are the first steps in the order of redemption, so our rejection and death are the first steps in the order of true and growing spirituality.

"As there could be no next step in the order of Christ's redemption until the step was taken, so in the Christian there can be no further step until these first two steps—rejected, slain—are faced; not in theory only, but at least in some partial practice."

Intersecting Faith & Life:
Is the gospel bearing fruit in your life in this way? Put another way, do you increasingly treasure Christ so that things and self receive less and less of your time, attention and resources?

Ask God for grace to live before the watching world in a way that others would see the blessings of a resurrected life in you.

Further Reading:
Philippians 1
The Expulsive Power of a New Affection

[Judy Harder]

Cold Soup
Ryan Duncan, Editor at TheFish.com

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. – Mark 12:30

A while back, some friends and I went out to lunch at a nearby restaurant. Now, I'm not much of an adventures eater, but that day I decided to try something new and ordered a soup called, "Vichyssoise". I now know that Vichyssoise is a thick soup made of puréed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken stock. Also, it's traditionally served cold. Maybe I'm just not cultured enough to appreciate this unique delicacy, but in my opinion cold soup tastes horrible.

After one spoonful I was trying to find a creative way to spit it out without my friends noticing. The meal did make me think though, about what the Bible says about cold and lukewarm Christians. 

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. - Revelation 3:15-16

It's funny how a bowl of soup can make you reflect on your life as a Christian. As I mulled over my actions in the past year, I realized how far away from God I had really moved. I had let my faith become a daily routine, like brushing my teeth or doing laundry, I had let my passion grow cold. God wants us to change the world, if only in our own small ways. Keep your heart and mind centered on Christ, don't let yourself grow cold.         

Intersecting Faith and Life

Have you let your passion for Christ grow cold? Take some time to consider.

Further Reading

Habakkuk 3:19

[Judy Harder]

Is the Aim of Your Life to Please the Lord?
Anna Kuta, News & Culture Editor at ReligionToday.com

"Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him" (2 Corinthians 5:9).

My pastor mentioned today's verse in a sermon several weeks ago, and it has stuck with me since then, convicting me.

Basically, this verse is telling us that if our ambition is something other than being pleasing to the Lord, we need to reevaluate. Too often I find myself going through life with a totally different aim, whether it be to please others, to be perceived a certain way or to please myself. But this verse has me thinking, and it is something we all need to consider. How can I claim to put the Lord first in my life while continuing to do things I know are not pleasing to Him? Do I even claim to put Him first in my life? And if I continue in sin, what message does that send to unbelievers with whom I am trying to share the gospel message?

The Bible is our complete manual to following the Lord and living for Him. Though we are all sinful people, the process of the Christian life should be one of sanctification and becoming more Christlike – and we can find in the pages of God's word everything we need to grow in our faith and knowledge of the Lord. As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:1: "Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus."

We can't live to please God unless we know who He is and what He commands – and we can't know that unless we read His word. As Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." As Christians, our aim should be constantly striving to better know the Lord, to follow Him – and to please Him.

What is your aim?

Intersecting Faith & Life

Are you living in a manner "well pleasing" to the Lord? If you do not read your Bible every day, commit to set aside a few minutes. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to His directions as you read His word. Pray that He will help you live a life pleasing to Him.

Further Reading

Colossians 1:10

Colossians 3:16

Hebrews 4:12

[Judy Harder]

What Will Your Legacy Be?"
Debbie Wright, Assistant Editor at Crosswalk.com

One of the most spiritually provocative songs I've ever heard is called War Sweater by the band Wakey!Wakey!.

"New York is dangerous, littered with thieves
We've no morals here, we just do as we please..."

...sings the narrator in the opening lines. He continues:

"But I don't want to go home where they all stare at me
'Cause I'm tattooed and fired up and drunk and obscene."

I'm sure many of us can picture a similar "wayward" family member or friend. But why exactly does this narrator feel so uncomfortable with this scrutiny? He explains in the following chorus:

"You wear your religion like a War Sweater
You ask for the truth, but you know you could do so much better
And you sat on your fences, and you've screamed "no retreat!"
...So what will your legacy be?"

Every time the singer repeats that phrase, "what will your legacy be?" I get knots in my stomach. Because I know my actions and my words will create whatever legacy I leave behind. Reputations are not created by beliefs – rather they come about by observed behavior. No one will remember me simply for getting all my doctrine right or wrong.

They will remember, though, if I wear my religion like a War Sweater. If I thrash my faith about like a flag and scream in the faces of unbelievers. Sadly, many Christians have created such legacies for themselves. Emperor Constantine created the legacy of Christianity's ties to the government. The Crusaders connected Christianity with war. Even today there are self-professing Christians who stand on street corners and picket funerals, wearing their religion like a War Sweater.

But my faith, my religion, informs me of something better. My religion tells me: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." My religion does not allow me to sit on a pedestal and judge; it says to serve one another in love. My religion warns me that salvation cannot come through pride. My religion does not stand for violently demanding all people bow to my standards; rather, it tells me that, as far as it depends on me, I should live at peace with everyone.

So take a look at the words you speak, at the people you mock, at the bumper stickers adorning your car.

Are you wearing your religion like a War Sweater?

What will your legacy be?

Intersecting Faith and Life

When confronted with a hard situation today, see how you can leave a legacy of Christ's love.

Further reading

Matthew 5:9

John 16:33

2 Corinthians 13:11

[Judy Harder]

Turn with Me to Your Next Prayer
John UpChurch, Senior Editor at Jesus.org/BibleStudyTools.com

According to Hollywood, most funerals should include the pastor intoning the morbid notes of the twenty-third Psalm. All the black around the pastor makes it seem that much more depressing. Usually, there's rain.

But there are two things about this that strike me as odd. First, Psalm 23 isn't depressing. Yes, it mentions the "shadow of death," but it's chock full of hope and paths of righteousness ... and oil pouring over heads. You can't be depressed when oil's dripping down your nose ... at least in biblical terms.

Second, I don't really hear people pray from the Bible. Sure, they toss in a verse or two about being "more than conquerors" or "God working all things for our good." But I've never seen a pastor reach for Psalm 23 or any Psalm for that matter when praying in public.

Now, don't get me wrong. I've heard plenty of great prayers from pastors and other believers. Some of them have hit home hard. But it seems as if Evangelicals especially are averse to anything that isn't somehow unique when it comes to praying. It's as if we think that just praying from the Bible isn't quite spiritual enough. We have to say something original.

Honestly, that's too bad. Because the Bible is crammed with better prayers than I could ever come up with—ones that fit almost every situation. And, really, that makes sense. After all, God inspired Scripture. These are His prayers to us; they're gifts of His grace.

In the Psalms alone, there are prayers for depression, loss, fear, moments when you just gotta praise ... it's like an encyclopedia of prayers. Just dial up a Psalm, and you've got a template for expressing what may have seemed inexpressible a few moments earlier.

Now, I'm not saying we should reject all original prayer-making. I'm just saying that there's no reason to ignore the Bible as a source for some pretty great prayers. We don't always have to come up with something original when God gave us His own Word to pray from. These prayers are creative for you creative types; passionate for those who like passion; and orderly for those of you who like things with three main points.

Just make sure that you aren't praying the Psalms like those pastors in the movies. Put some heart behind it.

[Finish Psalm 23]

Intersecting Faith & Life

God's interest in our prayer is that we spend time giving Him everything we've got. It's easy to think that we have to have the right words—or that prayer is a test of our creativity. But it's really a test of our hearts.

There are no original words ... nothing new under the sun. Using the Bible as a prayer manual isn't a cop out; it's brilliant. Who better to teach us how to pray than God? Start there and see how well God's Word fits the problems you face. Then, if you still need to wax poetic, you can do that, too.

[Judy Harder]

Meant For More
Kelly Givens, Editor at Salem Web Network

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
-2 Corinthians 5:17

The other day I watched a video on YouTube that totally pulled at my heart. It showed two dozen ducks being introduced to a pond for the first time; the ducks had been "pets" of a hoarder who had kept them in pens all their lives. After being rescued and brought to a pond, the frightened ducks kept their distance from the water, unwilling to go in. The rescue workers herded them into the pond, but the ducks immediately got out. Finally, the workers gently tossed them in one at a time. That seemed to do the trick- they began tentatively swimming, then diving under and splashing themselves in the cool water. Eventually they were all vigorously grooming themselves- probably feeling more refreshed, clean, more like ducks than they had ever felt before.

I wonder what thoughts the ducks might have had while they were in those pens. Did they ever wonder- "Why do I have these wings- what are they for? And why are my feet so awkward?" The joy they must have felt when their webbed feet first glided through water and their wings spread out with room and air to soar, when those unnamed desires- to swim, to fly- were first named and fulfilled. And then I think of how much they resisted getting in the water in the first place.

We are so similar to these ducks. We too have unnamed longings, unanswered questions about our lives here on earth. The world doesn't satisfy us, it lets us down, but we don't know where to look for more. We see this in the football champion who wakes up after the biggest game of his life and all he feels an empty, "What's next?" Or in the young executive who climbs the corporate ladder, believing the next job title will finally make him significant.  We see it in the teen who does harder and harder drugs on a never ending quest to reach a high that will erase all the lows of her life. We all have an emptiness inside we want to fill, a purpose in life we want to find, questions we want someone to answer.

The Christian narrative gives us these answers.  Christ fills us up, he gives us purpose- but we have to be willing to "get in the water"- believe in him- to experience these things. We yearn for more because we were created for more- for eternal life in the presence of our Lord and Savior. Through faith in Jesus, we're given purpose for today and in the days to come, and satisfying joy when we live for God's glory and not our own. Sadly, we resist believing this good news because we think the world can give us what we yearn for. To think this way is pointless, a "chasing after the wind." (Ecc. 1:14)

C.S. Lewis wrote about our longings for more so exquisitely. My favorite of his writings comes from the Chronicles of Narnia, in the Last Battle, when those who have faithfully fought for Aslan and Narnia are finally entering the "New Narnia," Lewis' version of the new heavens and new earth. The Unicorn summed it up beautifully: "I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now. The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that is sometimes looked a little like this. Bree-hee-hee! Come further up, come further in!"

Intersecting Faith and Life: Do you wish for more out of life? Do you have unnamed desires that you can't seem to satisfy? Lewis wrote, "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." Stop standing on the edge, "get in the water" with Jesus and experience the all-satisfying joy and life he promises those who know and put their trust in him.

Further Reading: 
Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
2 Corinthians 5: 1-5

[Judy Harder]

Our Love Should Be Ridiculous
by Stephen Sanders, Salem Web A/V Editor

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

Every once in a while, you meet a Christian who just flat out makes you feel good about life in general. It doesn't happen probably as much as it should, but nonetheless, it's always nice to see. Even though it may just be a brief encounter, you leave that conversation feeling important, hopeful and restored. Sometimes, it's even so powerful that it inspires you to become a better person.

I recently had an encounter with a certain pastor who just flat out blew me away with the way he carried himself. This was actually my 2nd time meeting him, and I just can't describe the attitude of this man. His love for God and love for people was simply contagious. Everyone in the room was just so peaceful and complimentary after he left. I found myself wanting to be more like that because, well, I'm not.

Showing "brotherly affection" towards others is not something that comes naturally for me. I tend to make a lot of excuses when it comes to being more outgoing and more loving. After all, it's much safer to just ignore people I don't know or have things in common with. That makes perfect sense, right? It's wiser to just let someone else share God's love with them; someone who can "minister to them more effectively than I."

God continues to deal with me about this on a daily basis. Not only is displaying love towards one another one of the chief commands of the Christian faith, but it's the core of who Jesus Christ was while he was on earth in the flesh. It's easy to assume that Jesus would have gotten along easier with the "church folks," but He actually spent all of His time with tax collectors, prostitutes and such; people who He had absolutely zero in common with.

The religious people of that day mocked Jesus for loving the way He did. Jesus' love was ridiculous.

I've been studying the heck out of the book of Romans lately. It's been great because I've begun to see this continuing contrast between the "church folks" and the "actual church" that Paul was ministering to in those days. The "church folks" were so proud of the list of regulations that defined who they were and set them apart from the society in which they lived. The "actual church" simply grabbed hold of the free gift of Christ and displayed it openly to that same society. The "church folks" disqualified others from becoming God's Chosen because of what they were unwilling to do. But the "actual church" made no assumptions about who could and could not be "saved."

The early church let the good news of the cross speak for itself... and they would scream this truth to everyone... everywhere... .even if it meant dying a gruesome death. Their love was ridiculous.

In today's culture, self-sacrificial love to the point of death sounds just as extreme as it did back then. So many of us make excuses as to why we don't need to love like that. Christians and church doctrines manage to create unwritten laws that shield us from having to actually love like the Spirit of Christ so desperately wants us to. We take specific scriptures and turn them into shield for our own protection. Take Romans 12:1-2 for example:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Until recently, I'd only recognized this scripture as an instruction to "beware of society and it's influences." And it's true that the world does things way differently than the Holy Spirit does. But I've always overlooked the importance of "test and discern what is the will of God." You see, we cannot "test the will of God" if we are so far removed from society that we are out of touch. The same "enemy society" that we are to not become influenced by is also the same exact place where God has strategically placed us to seek His will for our lives and display the gifts and talents He has placed in us.

Sound impossible? It's really not... it just takes a ridiculous love for this lifestyle to be functional.

In actuality, it may appear to many as being very dysfunctional. But that's okay! This Christian walk was never meant to be something that caused us to take ourselves more seriously than we ought to anyway. To tell you the truth, Jesus said that the "actual church" would "confound the wise and shame the strong." So don't be afraid to be excessively full of life, hopeful, positive and patient when others try to make that difficult to do. Look for excuses to just randomly meet the needs of others... especially your enemies! That's love... that's the sort of thing that everyone, Christians and non-Christians, long for deep down inside. That's what the love of Christ is all about.

I'm challenging myself (and you) to reach out in some way to someone every single day... starting today. God has radically changed our lives. He has given us something that is more valuable than anything. It's time we share it, not from a soapbox or inside our church walls, but in the every day hustle and bustle of where we already exist...

...and be proactive because, chances are, if you don't then no one else will.

For further study, read Romans Chapter 12.